Combination chart rack and chalk board



Feb. 25, 1950 D. J. AlKl-:N 2,499,240

COMBINATION CHART RACK AND CRALK BOARD Filed July 1, 1949 2 sheets-sheet 1 D. J. AIKEN `COMBINATION CHART RACK AND CHALK` BOARD Feb. 2s, 195o 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 1, 1949 Fig'. 3.

I u rer/tor Daymond J. A i/ren Patented F eb. 28.51950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I naymond J. Aiken, Lockport, n1. y Application Julyl, 1949,`seria1 No. 102.641

This invention relates to a device to be mounted on the blackboard of a classroom, the primary object of which is to provide a moreeconomical use of the space available for display of visual aids by combining a rack for supporting a projection screen, maps, charts and the like, and slated cloth materials with a chalk board.

A further object of thisinvention is to provide a firm back board for slated cloth material such as graph charts in mathematics, outline maps in social science and geography, ruled music charts, or plain slated cloth surface for use in any classroom. At the present timeslated clothv materials are suspended from the upper molding of a blackboard and writing under such conditions is very awkward and unsatisfactory. With the device ofthe instant invention, the chalk board serves a double purpose inasmuch as it gives a firm back board for the slated cloth materials and at the same time as a writing surface itself.

Another object of this invention is to provide more board space and greater adaptability of the space available. For example, the plain slated cloth surface mounted on the spring rollers of the instant invention permits an instructor to prepare instructional material for the various class periods of the day and the material remains out of sight until the teacher is ready to reveal it. As another example, in mathematics classes the teacher could prepare drill material and the like on one roller and the answers might be placed on a second roller surface to be exposed as desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination chart rack and chalk board comprising a housing, means for slidably suspending said housing on a wall board rail, a chalk board carried by said housing, and a plurality of spaced roll-away charts suspended in said housing above said chalk board and adapted to be drawn over said chalk board.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the device a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device l 5 Claims. (Cl. 35-63) Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the spring rollers.

Specic reference is now made to the drawings. In the several views in the accompanying drawings and in the following specification reference characters indicate correspondingA elements throughout. Y

Indicated generally at I0 is a wall upon which is mounted the conventional blackboard I2 having a chalk receiving trough I4 at its bottom end and a molding or rail I6 at its upper end. The device of the instant invention is generally indicated at I8 and is adapted to be suspended on the blackboard in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

The device I8 consists of a substantially rectangular frame 20 which is open at the front and at the back. At the bottom of the frame and extending transversely thereof is a sponge rubber member 22 which bears againstthe blackboard I2 and at the same time will not scratch the latter. Secured to the frame at the front bottom end thereof is a board 24. Carried by the side of the frame is a further board 26 which is downwardly and rearwardly inclined to provide with the base 28 of the frame and the aforementioned board 24, a chalk receiving trough 30.

Secured transversely to the frame and at the front thereof is a cork board 32 and secured to the front edges of the sides of the frame beneath the cork board 32 is a chalk board `34.

Carried by the frame above the cork board 32 and extending transversely thereof is a further board 36 which forms with the top wall 38 of the frame and the sides of the frame a compari ment 40.

Secured to the board 36 and thetop wall 38 of the housing or frame is a downwardly and rearwardly inclined wall 42 having vertically spaced slits 44. Secured to the inner surfaces of the side walls of the frame and within the compartment 40 are spaced brackets 46 having U-slots 48 for receiving the ends 50 of spring rollers 52. As Will be seen clearly in Figure 2, the spring rollers are vertically spaced from each other and lie in a vertical plane parallel to the inclined wall section 42. Mounted on the spring rollers 52 are charts 54 which are provided at their free ends with a gripping edge 56 that are disposed outside the wall section 42, the charts extending through the slits 44 as will be readily understood. Because of this manner of mounting of the spring rollers 52 and charts 54 thereon, it will be readily understood that the charts will not interfere with cork board 32 and the chalk board 34.

Mounted by any suitable means upon the board 36 to the rear of the rollers 54 is a pair of angle brackets 58 which carry rollers 60 at their upper ends that are adapted to engage the molding or rail I6 so that the combination chart rack and chalk board can be securely suspended upon a blackboard and rolled, thereon to any desired position.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of `l the device will be quite apparent'to those skilledl in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however,L that veven though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the: same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended byf thespirit of the inventionas herein described and the scope of5 theiappended claims.

-AHaVing describedthe inventiomwhat isgclamed as ,'newffis:

1. -A; combination charm-rack and; chalki board comprising :a housing. meansI foreslidabiyssuspending said housing on a wall-board rail, a, chalk board carried 4by said housingrandna plurality/of spaced roll-awaycharts 1 suspended in said` housing abovesaid chalk yboardsK :andA-adaptedzzto rbe drawn Aoverzsaid chalkboard, said means including. `rollers carried-byfsaidhousingi .tonthe rear Vof said! roll-away charts, saidfrcl-lerssbeingadapted tofengageaa wall-board rail".

2. A combination chart rack and chalkboard comprising ya housing, means for slidably-f-suspending said housing onv awallL-board railfachalk board carried by said housing, and a plurality of spaced roll-away charts suspended in said housing above said chalk board and adapted to be drawn over said chalk board, said roll-away charts being spaced from each other at a downward and rearward angle to prevent interference in movement of the charts relative to veach other.

3. A combination chart rack and chalk board comprising-,aA substantially rectangular frame, a chalk board; secured to-.thefront of theA frame, spring rollers carried by the sides of the frame above said chalk board, charts mounted on said ro11erss.ad rollersbeing spaced from each other )aatl a downward and rearward angle to prevent interference in movement of the charts relative to eachiothensand means for slidably suspending said frame, ona wall-board rail.

4;'The combination of claim 3, wherein said means includes recesses in the sides of said frame for receiving the rail and rollers carried by said frame to .the` rear of said rollersand adapted. .to

engage. .the rail.

y.5, .Thecombnation ofclaim 3, andl a chalkv receivingtroug-h at` they bottoml of-v said frame.

KDAYMOND .J. AIKEN.

,I REFERENCES CITED "Thefollowing: references are oflrecord in the file-.of this patent:

:UNITED STATESPATENTS 

